Yo-yo having a changeable shape

ABSTRACT

The invention is a yo-yo that has structure that enables a user to configure the yo-yo in either a looper configuration or a butterfly configuration without needing to disassemble the yo-yo. The mechanism that enables the change in shape of the yo-yo&#39;s sides can be set to an automatic mode in which the yo-yo can automatically change from a looper configuration to a butterfly configuration when the yo-yo&#39;s rotational rate reaches a predetermined level.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of user-manipulated toys. More particularly, the invention is an apparatus in the form of a yo-yo in which each of the yo-yo's side portions includes a mechanism that enables the side portion's shape to be quickly and easily changed. By changing the shape of both of the yo-yo's side portions, a user can configure the yo-yo to have a looper configuration or a butterfly configuration, with a concomitant change in the yo-yo's facility to perform various types of yo-yo tricks. The mechanism can also have an automatic mode whereby when the yo-yo initially has a looper configuration, the yo-yo's shape will change to a butterfly configuration once the yo-yo's rotational rate reaches a predetermined level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most yo-yos are in the form of two disk-shaped side portions that have a fixed shape and are rigidly connected to each other by some form of axle structure. The side portions are usually of unitary construction and are made out of plastic, metal or wood. The axle structure is secured to the center of both side portions and may be an assembly of multiple parts, or merely be in the form of a dowel or a riveted pin. In many modern yo-yos, the axle structure includes a center-located bearing or other member that is secured to, and rotatable on, an elongated axle pin.

The axle structure also forms an anchor for one end of a string-type tether. An end-located loop portion of the tether is positioned so that it encircles a center portion of the axle structure. The free end of the tether is usually tied to create a second loop portion that can be placed about one of a user's fingers to thereby secure the yo-yo to the user's hand.

When the tether is wound about the axle structure and the yo-yo is released, or thrown, from the user's hand, the yo-yo will begin to rapidly spin as it moves away from the user's hand and the tether unwinds from the axle structure. Once the tether is fully unwound, the yo-yo may “sleep” at the end of the tether, whereby the yo-yo's side portions continue to spin without the tether rewinding on the axle structure.

At the completion of most yo-yo tricks, the user will make a quick tug/jerk on the tether. This causes the tether to become locked to a spinning portion of the yo-yo whereby the yo-yo returns to the user's hand as the tether winds about the yo-yo's axle structure.

Over the years, many different shapes have been employed for the side portions of yo-yos. Most yo-yos have a “looper” configuration in which the yo-yo's side portions have a narrow configuration and a substantially planar surface that faces the yo-yo's tether. Some yo-yos feature a “butterfly” configuration in which each side portion has its rim shifted laterally away from the center of the yo-yo. This increases the width of the outer portion of the gap between the yo-yo's side portions and gives the yo-yo a butterfly shape when viewed in cross-section.

The shape of a yo-yo's side portions not only makes the yo-yo distinctive, but also affects the yo-yo's performance. For example, a user performing looping tricks with a yo-yo will usually prefer a yo-yo having a looper configuration since the weight distribution is close to the tether and thereby enables the yo-yo to flip over relatively easily during each loop. For yo-yo tricks in which a user attempts to catch a sleeping yo-yo on a medial portion of the tether, such as “man on a trapeze,” a yo-yo having a butterfly configuration is preferred for two reasons. Firstly, the greater width of the peripheral area of the gap between the rim portions of the yo-yo's side portions facilitates having the tether enter into the gap between the side portions and thereby makes it easier to land the yo-yo on the tether. Secondly, the wider stance of a butterfly configuration yo-yo increases the distance between each side portion's center of mass and the tether, thereby enhancing the yo-yo's stability once it has landed on the tether.

To take advantage of the different yo-yo performance characteristics provided through the use of side portions of different shapes, many experienced yo-yo players will own a large variety of differently shaped yo-yos. This enables the player to pick a yo-yo from his or her collection that will work best for the particular trick(s) that the player wishes to perform. However, the costs involved in buying and maintaining a large number of yo-yos can be considerable. In addition, transporting a large number of yo-yos can be bothersome and is usually accomplished using a bulky and expensive transport case specially adapted for carrying yo-yos.

The desirability of reconfigurable side portions is known in the art. Kuhn (U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,701) teaches a yo-yo in which the yo-yo can be configured to have either a looper shape or butterfly shape, depending on how the yo-yo is assembled. In a prior patent by Van Dan Elzen (U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,310), a reconfigurable yo-yo is taught in which a user can change the yo-yo's shape by attaching an appropriate rim portion to a hub of each side portion. However, these prior art yo-yo's require at least partial disassembly of the yo-yo in order to achieve a change in the yo-yo's shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A yo-yo in accordance with the invention has side portions that are an assemblage of parts and that enable the yo-yo's shape to change, or to be changed, without having to disassemble the yo-yo. To achieve this result, each of the yo-yo's side portions includes a hub portion to which the yo-yo's axle assembly is attached, and a movable rim portion. The manner in which the rim portion is secured to the hub portion allows said rim portion to move, or to be moved, on the hub portion in a direction parallel to the yo-yo's axis of rotation. This enables changing the distance between the center of mass of a side portion and the tether, and also enables changing the width of a peripheral/circumferential portion of the gap located between the yo-yo's side portions.

The securement mechanism that secures the rim portion to the hub portion preferably includes a user-actuated locking mechanism. This allows a user to lock the rim portion in place once said rim portion is in the desired location on the hub portion. If a user wants a looping yo-yo, the rim portions can be locked at a location where each is positioned near the yo-yo's tether whereby the yo-yo's side portions have a substantially narrow configuration. If the user instead wants a yo-yo that has a shape ideally suited for string tricks, the user can quickly and easily move the rim portions outwardly and then lock them in place to cause the yo-yo to have a butterfly configuration.

Each of the yo-yo's side portions preferably also includes two opposing mechanisms that can apply force on the side portion's rim portion. The first mechanism is in the form of at least one spring member that biases the side portion's rim portion inwardly. The second mechanism, referred to herein as an “automatic position changing mechanism,” comprises at least one movable weight member, preferably a metal ball, that can move radially outwardly when the side portion is rotating at a high speed and press against a ramp member operatively connected to the rim portion. As a result, the radially-outward movement of the weight member causes an outward movement of the rim portion.

If a user wants a yo-yo that can automatically change shape while spinning, the user can leave the locking mechanism unlocked. At rest, the yo-yo will initially have a looper configuration that facilitates holding the yo-yo. When the yo-yo is then thrown/released, centripetal force will act on each side portion's weight member(s) whereby, once the yo-yo has a high rate of rotation, the outward force applied by the weight member(s) to the rim portions overcomes the inward bias produced by each side portion's spring(s). This causes the rim portion of each of the yo-yo's side portions to move outwardly whereby the yo-yo changes shape and assumes a butterfly configuration. The spinning yo-yo can then be used to perform tricks that are normally facilitated when the yo-yo has a butterfly shape. Once the yo-yo's rotational rate slows to a predetermined level, the centripetal/centrifugal force applied to the weight member(s) is overcome by the spring(s) in each side portion. Each side portion's rim portion will then move inwardly and thereby cause the yo-yo to once again assume a looper configuration.

The invention is therefore a yo-yo having side portions that can be easily modified by a user, or that can automatically change shape when the yo-yo is rotating at a high speed. Modification of the side portions enables the yo-yo to be optimized for different types of tricks, thereby enabling the yo-yo to effectively take the place of multiple yo-yos. This negates the need for the user to own, maintain and transport multiple yo-yos. Also, a yo-yo in accordance with the invention requires no disassembly in order to effect a change in the yo-yo's shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention, with the right-hand portion of the yo-yo shown in cross-section and the yo-yo having a looper configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, with the right-hand portion shown in cross-section and the yo-yo in a transitional stage between looper and butterfly configurations.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, with the right-hand portion shown in cross-section and the yo-yo shown in a butterfly configuration.

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1 and rotated approximately sixty degrees from the position shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 provides a magnified perspective view of the yo-yo's lock plate.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1 taken inwardly of the cover whereby the locking mechanism is visible.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 2 taken inwardly of the cover whereby the locking mechanism is visible.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 3 taken inwardly of the cover whereby the locking mechanism is visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Looking now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there is indicated by the numeral 1 a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

The yo-yo 1 includes first and second side portions 2 that are preferably identical and are connected together via an axle structure 4. A string-type tether 6 includes a loop portion 8 that encircles a center portion of the axle structure. The tether's distal end (not shown) will normally be tied to create a loop to enable a temporary securement of said end to one of a user's fingers.

The axle structure 4 is preferably an assemblage of parts that includes an axle pin 10, a pair of spacers 11, a ball-bearing unit 12 and two hex nuts 14. The axle pin has a longitudinal axis that is co-linear with the yo-yo's axis of rotation. The ball bearing unit is centered on the axle pin and sandwiched between the spacers in a manner whereby its inner race 15 contacts a circular ridge 16 of each spacer, leaving its outer race 17 free to rotate.

Each of the hex nuts is secured within a different one of the yo-yo's side portions and is threadedly-engaged to the axle pin via exterior threads 18 located proximate each of the axle pin's ends. This secures the side portions to the axle pin, and effectively to each other, with a gap 19 located between the side portions. While only the right-hand side portion's nut 14 is shown in the drawings, the other nut 14 is similarly located in the yo-yo's left-hand side portion.

While the ball bearing unit 12 is preferably conventional in design, other types of rotatable units or members can be used in lieu of the ball bearing unit shown. Alternatively, the ball bearing unit can be dispensed with altogether when the yo-yo's tether is attached directly to the axle pin, or to a structure fixedly secured to said pin, or to an equivalent structure that connects the yo-yo's side portions together.

Each side portion 2 shown herein includes a hub 20, a rim 22, a plurality of balls 24, a ball guide 26, a wave washer 27, a lock plate 28, a lens plate 30, a plurality of springs 32 and a cover 34. A number of fasteners 36, 38 and 40 are also employed in each side portion.

The hub 20, also referred to herein as a hub portion, has an inwardly-facing (inward being toward the center of the yo-yo's gap 19) surface 42, an outwardly-facing (outward being away from the center of the yo-yo's gap 19) surface 44 and an outwardly-extending nipple portion 46 that has an end that includes three spaced-apart threaded bores 47. A thru-bore 48 extends through the center of the hub and continues through the center of the hub's nipple portion. It should be noted that the hub is somewhat bowl-shaped whereby its perimeter is defined by an outwardly-extending side portion 50 having a lip 51 that extends away from said side portion.

Preferably, the hub 20 is made of a rigid, or substantially rigid, plastic material. Alternatively, the hub can be made of other materials, including metal, wood, rubber or be a composite or assemblage of rigid and/or non-rigid parts.

The hub's inwardly-facing surface 42, which may also be referred to as a tether-facing surface, surrounds a circular cavity 52 designed to receive one of the spacers 11. Located on surface 42 outwardly of cavity 52 are a plurality of optional ribs/ridges 54 that protrude into gap 19 and are preferably configured in a starburst-shaped array. These ribs/ridges function to enhance the ability of the tether to become locked to the hub to facilitate a user's ability to have the yo-yo return to his or her hand. Other known types of surface adaptations that facilitate tether engagement in yo-yos may also be simultaneously or alternatively employed on, or in, surface 42.

Located on the hub's outwardly-facing surface 44 are three races 56. Each race includes a track 60 formed in surface 44 and located between two sidewalls 62. The races are radially-oriented whereby each extends in a direction away from the yo-yo's axis of rotation.

Located between each pair of races 56 are two outwardly-extending cylindrical posts, 64 and 66 respectively. Post 64 is shorter than post 66 and features a threaded bore 67 that has an outwardly-facing, end-located opening 68. Similarly, post 66 has a threaded bore 69 having an outwardly-facing, end-located opening 70.

One should note that the portion of the hub's thru-bore 48 that extends through the center of the hub's nipple portion 46 includes a hexagonally-shaped cavity 72. Non-rotatably secured in said cavity is one of the hex nuts 14. Alternatively, other shapes or types of nuts, or fasteners, may be employed in place of hex nuts 14. In addition, the axle pin may be shaped whereby the pin's ends self-secure into the hub, in which case the hex nuts 14 would not be required.

Movably secured to the hub, and slidable adjacent the hub's side portion 50, is the ring-shaped rim 22. The rim, also referred to herein as a rim portion, is preferably made of a hard plastic material. Alternatively, said rim may be made from other materials, including metal, wood, rubber or be a composite or assemblage of rigid and/or non-rigid parts. The rim includes a stepped axially-facing (faces the yo-yo's axis of rotation) surface that has a front portion 76, a center portion 78 and a rear portion 80. An outwardly-facing planar surface 81 is located at the transition between surface portions 76 and 78. The rear surface portion 80 forms the base of an endless groove 82. The rim also includes an inwardly-facing planar surface 84 and an arcuately-shaped side surface 86. It should be noted that when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, surface 84 defines a side edge of a peripheral portion of gap 19.

Located in each of the hub's races 56 is one of the balls 24. Each ball 24 is round and is preferably made of a metal material, such as steel. The material choice for the balls 24 should take into account that each of the balls is required to have sufficient mass to enable the ball's functionality, as will be described shortly.

Secured to the hub in a position whereby it partially overlies the races 56 is the ball guide 26. The ball guide includes an aperture 90 and three radially-extending and equidistantly-spaced-apart arms 92. Each arm includes an elongated longitudinally-extending slot 94 that is a portion of said aperture 90.

The center of the ball guide's aperture 90 has a size and shape complementary to the outer circumference of the hub's nipple portion. This enables installation of the ball guide whereby said nipple portion extends through aperture 90.

The ball guide preferably includes three additional apertures 96, with each aperture located between two of the guide's arms. Securement of the guide to the hub is accomplished via screw-type fasteners 36 fitting through said apertures 96 in the guide and then threading into the bore 67 in each of the hub's posts 64. It should be noted that securement of the guide to the hub may alternatively be accomplished via other types, locations and forms of securement mechanisms.

Prior to securing the ball guide to the hub, one places each of the balls 24 into a different one of the hub's races 56. One then secures the guide to the hub, whereby the guide does not press onto the balls and allows the balls to roll in the races without any significant interference from the guide. The depth of each race is preferably such that a small portion of each ball will extend into the slot 92 of the adjacent arm of the ball guide. Since the guide's slot has a width less than the diameter of the ball, the arms of the ball guide function to both center and retain the balls in the races.

Rotatably attached to the end of the hub's nipple portion 46 is the lock plate 28. The plate is shown in a magnified view in FIG. 6 and may be made of a hard, rigid material such as a hard plastic or metal. The lock plate has an inwardly-facing surface 100, three arcuately-shaped elongated slots 102, three arms 104 and a hex-shaped center-located thru-bore 106.

The lock plate's surface 100 faces and slidably contacts the wave washer 27 which is preferably made of a resilient metal or plastic material and is sandwiched between the lock plate and the distal end of the hub's nipple portion. Extending through each of the lock plate's slots 102 and into a bore 47 is one of the screw-type fasteners 38. Preferably, the screws extend through the slots but don't tightly compress the wave washer 27 whereby a user can still move the lock plate relative to the end of the nipple portion, with said movement limited by the length of the plate's elongated slots 102.

The lock plate's arms 104 extend out from the main body 108 of the plate and each is in the form of a thin, arcuately-shaped finger. Each of said arms has an outwardly-facing surface 110 and an inwardly-facing surface 112.

Secured to the yo-yo's rim is the lens plate 30. The lens plate is made of a hard, rigid material, such as a hard plastic, and has an outwardly-facing surface 114, an inwardly-facing surface 116 and a center-located thru-hole 118. Extending inwardly from said rear surface, toward the yo-yo's hub, are three ramp members 120 and three cylindrical tubes 122.

Each of said ramp members 120 is somewhat triangular in shape and has an inwardly-facing angled ramp surface 124. The ramp members are radially-oriented whereby each extends in a direction away from the yo-yo's axis of rotation and increases in height with increasing distance from said axis. Each ramp member includes an inwardly-facing flat surface 126 (note FIG. 1) located adjacent an end of surface 124 and that is parallel to surface 44 of the hub. One should note that each ramp member also has an outwardly-facing flat surface 127 that is substantially identical to surface 126 and located outwardly of surface 126.

Each of the lens plate's tubes 122 is hollow and includes a center thru-bore 128 that has a large diameter portion 130 and a small diameter portion 132. Said portion 132 is defined by a circular end wall 134 of the tube 122.

It should be noted that the lens plate's thru-hole 118 is preferably round and has a diameter that is greater than that of the hex-shaped thru-bore 106 located at the center of the lock plate. Furthermore, one should note that the lens plate includes a plurality of peripherally-located tabs 136 that extend out from the side of the lens plate.

Received within each of the lens plate's tubes 122 is one of the coil springs 32. Each spring is preferably made of a metal material and has a diameter slightly less than that of the tube's bore 130 but greater than that of the adjacent smaller bore portion 132. In this manner, the bottom of the spring will rest on the tube's end wall 134.

When the lens plate is in place adjacent the hub, each of the ramp members 120 is positioned so that it at least partially extends through a slot 94 of the ball guide and into a race 56 of the hub. At the same time, each of the lens plate's tubes 122 receive, via its bore 132, a different one of the posts 66 of the hub. Said posts extend into the center of the springs 32. Once properly located, the screw-type fasteners 40 are placed into the large diameter bore portions 130 of the lens plate's tubes 122. A threaded end portion 138 of each fastener is received within, and threadedly engages, the threaded center bore 69 of the adjacent post 66. The head 140 of each fastener 40 has a larger diameter than that of the adjacent spring 32 and thereby functions to capture the spring 32 between said head portion and the tube's end wall 134. As a result, the lens plate is movable relative to the hub and is spring-biased in an outward direction by the springs 32.

The lens plate 30 and rim 22 are securely attached to each other and are laterally movable as a single unit. In the preferred embodiment, the lens plate's side-located tabs 136 are a tight snap-fit into the rim's groove 82. Alternatively, the lens plate may be secured to the rim via adhesive, sonic welding, the use of fasteners and/or any other suitable securement method or system. It should be noted that while the lens plate is non-rotatable relative to the hub portion and the rim portion is preferably non-rotatably secured to the lens plate, a rotatable securement between the rim portion and lens plate may be employed. For example, the tabs 136 may alternatively be a loose snap-fit into groove 82.

Overlying much of the lens plate's outwardly-facing surface 114, and movable therewith, is an optional thin cover 34. Said cover is preferably made of a paper or plastic material and is used to cover the fasteners 40. Securement of the cover to the lens plate is preferably achieved via an adhesive, or by fasteners (not shown).

When a yo-yo 1 is assembled, each of the side portions is assembled first, and then the ball bearing unit 12, sandwiched between the spacers 11, is placed on the center of the axle pin 10. Next, the side portions are threaded onto opposite ends of the axle pin via their contained hex nuts 14 engaging the axle pin's end-located threads 18. Each side portion is rotated relative to the axle pin until secured. The tether's loop portion 8 is then expanded, placed about the ball bearing unit and retightened. The yo-yo is then ready for use.

The shape of the yo-yo 1 may be locked into either a looper configuration (FIG. 1) or a butterfly configuration (FIG. 3). The yo-yo may also be set to enable an automatic change in its configuration.

When the yo-yo 1 is in its looper configuration and the locking mechanism is in a locked condition in which the lock plate is in its locked position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the plane of the rim's inwardly-facing surface 84 is substantially co-planar with a plane formed by the hub's inwardly-facing surface 42. In this position, the rim completely overlies the hub's side portion 50. As such, the yo-yo 1, in side view, has a shape similar to that of most conventional looper configuration yo-yos.

One should note in FIGS. 1 and 7 that when the yo-yo 1 is locked in its looper configuration, the lock plate is positioned so that the flat surface 127 of each of the locking lens' ramp members 120 is located inwardly of the arms 104 of the lock plate. When so located, the inwardly-facing surface 112 of each arm contacts surface 127 of the ramp member adjacent the arm and thereby blocks said ramp member from moving outwardly. As a result, neither the lens plate nor the rim 22 attached to the lens plate can move outwardly relative to the adjacent hub 20.

When the yo-yo 1 is locked in its butterfly configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, each side portion's rim is positioned a considerable distance outwardly relative to its position shown in FIG. 1 and a significant portion of the hub's side portion 50 is uncovered. The rim's outward movement is limited by the hub's lip 51 contacting the rim's surface 81. As such, the yo-yo 1, in side view, has a shape similar to that of many conventional butterfly-shaped yo-yos. When so configured, the rims effectively increase the width of the portion of the gap 19 located between the yo-yo's rims 22.

One should note in FIGS. 3 and 9 that the lock plate is positioned so that the flat surface 126 of each of the locking lens' ramp members 120 is located outwardly of the arms 104 of the lock plate. When so located, the outwardly-facing surface 110 of each arm contacts surface 126 of the ramp member adjacent the arm and thereby blocks the ramp member from moving inwardly. As a result, neither the lens plate nor the rim 22 attached to the lens plate can move inwardly relative to the adjacent hub 20.

To set the locking mechanism into its unlocked condition, one moves the lock plate from its locked position to its unlocked position. This is accomplished through the use of a tool (not shown) such as an Allen wrench (also known as a hex key) or other tool that has an end complementary in size and shape to the lock plate's hexagonally-shaped thru-bore 106. One inserts the end of the tool through the center thru-hole 118 of the lens plate and into said bore 106. Preferably, fasteners 38 are only secured into bores 47 by an amount that allows the lock plate to be rotated. While not shown, the lock plate may also be configured to eliminate the need for a tool, such as by having an outwardly-extending portion that may be turned by hand. Other alternatives to eliminate the need for a tool include configuring the lock plate whereby it may be turned via a motor in the side portion controlled by remote control, or through the use of a magnet.

When one rotates the lock plate via the wrench or other tool in bore 106, the lock plate rotates relative to the fixed fasteners 38 with a concomitant change in the position of the fasteners 38 in the lock plate's slots 102. This can be seen when one compares FIG. 7 to FIG. 8. In FIG. 7, the lock plate is in its locked position and one can note that the leftmost fastener 38 is shown located at the far left end of one of the slots 102. If a user then rotates the lock plate in a counterclockwise direction to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8, the previously-noted fastener 38 is now located at the other end of the slot 102. One should note from FIGS. 2 and 7 that once the lock plate is in its unlocked position, the lock plate's arms 104 will be located whereby they no longer interfere with inward or outward movement of the ramp members and therefore allow movement of the lens plate and the rim 22 attached to said lens plate.

If a lock plate is positioned per FIG. 8 in its unlocked state and the yo-yo 1 is in its looper configuration, a user can manually pull on the associated side portion's rim and move said rim outwardly. As the rim is moved outwardly against the spring bias caused by the springs 32, the side portion will assume the shape shown in FIG. 2. Further outward movement of the rim against the spring bias causes the side portion to assume the shape shown in FIG. 3. At that point, while holding the rim in place, the user can use a hex key or equivalent tool to rotate the lock plate back to its locked position shown in FIG. 9. The side portion will then maintain that configuration until the lock plate is moved back to its unlocked position whereupon the side portion's lens plate and attached rim will both move inwardly due to the springs 32. The shape of the associated side portion will transition through that shown in FIG. 2 and come to rest in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. At that point, the user can rotate the lock plate back to its lock position whereby said side portion will be locked into its looper configuration shown in FIG. 1.

When the yo-yo 1 is in its looper configuration and both side portions have their lock plate in an unlocked position, the yo-yo 1 is then capable of automatically changing its shape/configuration. When not rotating, the yo-yo will be in its looper configuration due to the action of the springs 32. Once the user throws/releases the yo-yo and it begins to rotate, centripetal force acts on the balls 24, causing them to try to move outwardly in their races 56. The balls apply force to the angled surface 124 of the lens plate's ramp members 120. Once the yo-yo's speed of rotation has increased sufficiently whereby the centripetal force acting on the balls overcomes the inward bias on each side portion's lens plate due to the springs 32, the balls move radially outwards and force the lens plate, via the ramp members, to move outwardly. This causes the attached rim to move outwards whereby, since both of the yo-yo's rims should move simultaneously, the yo-yo's configuration changes from the looper configuration through the transition stage configuration shown in FIG. 2 and then to the yo-yo's butterfly configuration.

The yo-yo will then stay in its butterfly configuration until its rotation slows significantly and the force exerted by springs 32 can overcome the centripetal force acting on the balls 24. The spring force then causes the balls in each side portion to move in a direction towards the yo-yo's axis of rotation, allowing the ramp members to move inwardly with a concomitant inward movement of each side portion's lens plate and attached rim, whereby the yo-yo once again assumes its looper configuration. In this manner, the yo-yo can be easily held when in its looper configuration and once spinning, it assumes a butterfly configuration that facilitates the performance of tricks normally best performed by a yo-yo having said butterfly configuration. Once the yo-yo's rate of rotation decreases sufficiently, the yo-yo will once again assume its looper configuration whereby it can return to the user's hand and be easily held.

It should be noted that while a plurality of springs 32 are shown, the same action may be obtained with a single centrally-located spring. The terms “spring” and “spring member,” as used herein, are not limited to the coiled resilient elements shown in the drawings, but are hereby broadly defined as any element or device that can be caused to expand in length and thereby act like the coil spring shown in the drawings.

While the automatic position changing mechanism is shown employing a plurality of balls 24, a similar action may be obtained with a single weight member. The weight member may have other shapes than the round balls shown in the drawings. It should be noted that automatic position changing mechanism may alternatively employ a different mechanism, such as a motor, inflatable element or any other conventional device used to move apart two adjacent members.

Also, the terms “rim” and “rim portion,” as used herein, can refer to a peripherally-located part of a yo-yo's side portion and also to any part of a yo-yo's side portion that is located proximate a periphery of a center portion of the yo-yo. In addition, an “operative” position or location for one of the yo-yo's rims/rim portions is hereby defined as being one at which the rim/rim portion is positioned in a manner whereby the yo-yo can be used in a normal manner.

Furthermore, while the yo-yo shown includes both a locking mechanism and structure that enables a side portion's shape to change automatically, a yo-yo in accordance with the invention may have just one of these functionalities. For example, the locking mechanism may be deleted whereby the yo-yo would still have movable rims but have no way to lock them in a single position. In such a case, the yo-yo could initially be in one configuration, such as a looper, and then when rotated at speed would automatically change to a butterfly configuration. Similarly, the yo-yo could have movable rims and a locking mechanism but no automatic position changing mechanism, such as the weight members that can operatively engage and move the rims, as shown herein. Without the structure that enables automatic changing of the yo-yo's shape, a user could lock the yo-yo's rim portions in either of two locations whereby the yo-yo could have either a looper configuration or a butterfly configuration.

The spring members, while convenient for biasing a rim portion to a certain location/position, are also optional and may be used in combination with an automatic position changing mechanism for the yo-yo's rims and/or with a mechanism for positionally-locking a side portion's rim on its associated hub.

The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein has been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of the invention. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. 

1. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure; a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure; and wherein said first side portion comprises a hub portion and a rim portion, wherein said hub portion is operatively secured to said axle structure, wherein said rim portion is slidably connected to said hub portion in a manner whereby said rim portion can be operatively secured at a first location relative to said hub portion and also at a second location relative to said hub portion, and wherein when said tether is positioned so that it extends straight out from said axle structure, said rim portion when at said second location will be spaced further from said tether than when said rim portion is at said first location.
 2. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion, wherein when the first side portion has its rim portion located at said first location and the second side portion has a rim portion similarly located relative to a hub portion of the second side portion, said yo-yo will have a looper configuration, and wherein when the first side portion has its rim portion located at said second location and the second side portion has its rim portion similarly located relative to the hub portion of the second side portion, said yo-yo will have a butterfly configuration.
 3. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the rim portion is spring-biased by at least one spring member to be located at a predetermined location on said hub portion.
 4. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side portion also comprises a locking mechanism that can be set in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition, wherein when said mechanism is in a locked condition, it can positionally fix the rim portion relative to the hub portion whereby said rim portion can be lockably secured to said hub portion when said rim portion is at either of said locations, and wherein when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, the rim portion can move relative to the hub portion.
 5. The yo-yo of claim 4 wherein said first side portion also comprises at least one movable weight member operatively engaged to the rim portion in a manner whereby when said locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, the first side portion can be caused to rotate at a rate whereby said at least one weight member will move in a direction away from an axis of rotation of said first side portion and thereby cause the rim portion to move from one of said locations to the other of said locations.
 6. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side portion also comprises at least one movable weight member operatively engaged to the rim portion in a manner whereby said first side portion can be caused to rotate at a rate whereby said at least one weight member will move in a direction away from an axis of rotation of said first side portion and thereby cause the rim portion to move from one of said locations to the other of said locations.
 7. The yo-yo of claim 6 wherein said first side portion also comprises at least one spring member operatively connected to the rim portion and that functions to bias said rim portion to one of said locations, wherein when the yo-yo is rotating at a rate at which said rim portion has moved from one of said locations to the other of said locations, the yo-yo's rate of rotation can then slow to a rate whereby said at least one spring member will cause the rim portion to move from one of said locations to the other of said locations.
 8. The yo-yo of claim 6 wherein said at least one weight member can engage an angled surface of a ramp member operatively connected to said rim portion.
 9. The yo-yo of claim 6 wherein said at least one weight member is in the form of a ball.
 10. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure and in a manner whereby a gap is located between said first and second side portions; a tether that extends into said gap and is secured to a portion of said axle structure; and wherein said first side portion comprises a hub portion and a rim portion, wherein said hub portion is operatively connected to said axle structure, wherein said rim portion has a surface that defines a side edge of a portion of said gap, wherein said rim portion is movably secured to said hub portion and can be located at a first operative position relative to its adjacent hub portion, wherein said rim portion can also be located at a second operative position relative to its adjacent hub portion, wherein when said rim portion is located at said first operative position, a width of a part of said gap adjacent said surface of said rim portion is less than a width of that same part of said gap when said rim portion is located at said second operative position.
 11. The yo-yo of claim 10 wherein said first side portion also comprises a locking mechanism that can be set in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition, wherein when said mechanism is in a locked condition, it can positionally fix the rim portion relative to the hub portion whereby said rim portion can be lockably secured to said hub portion when said rim portion is at either of said operative positions, and wherein when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, the rim portion can move relative to the hub portion.
 12. The yo-yo of claim 11 wherein said first and second side portions are substantially identical to each other and each also includes at least one movable weight member that is operatively engaged to the associated side portion's rim portion in a manner whereby when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, the yo-yo can be caused to rotate at a rate whereby said at least one weight member will move in a manner that causes the associated side portion's rim portion to move from one of said operative positions to the other of said operative positions.
 13. The yo-yo of claim 10 wherein said first and second side portions are substantially identical to each other and each also includes at least one movable weight member that is operatively engaged to the associated side portion's rim portion in a manner whereby said yo-yo can be caused to rotate at a rate whereby said at least one weight member will move and thereby cause the associated side portion's rim portion to move from one of said operative positions to the other of said operative positions.
 14. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure, and wherein each of said side portions is an assemblage of parts; a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure; and wherein each of said side portions comprises a hub, a rim and a locking mechanism, wherein each of said hubs is operatively connected to said axle structure, wherein each of said rims can be lockably secured to its associated hub via said locking mechanism in a first operative position relative to its associated hub whereby when both of the yo-yo's side portions have their rims in said first operative position, said yo-yo will have a first configuration, wherein each of said rims can also be lockably secured to its associated hub via said locking mechanism in a second operative position relative to its associated hub whereby when both of the yo-yo's side portions have their rims in said second operative position, said yo-yo will have a second configuration in which a distance between the yo-yo's rims is greater than the distance between the yo-yo's rims when said rims are both in said first operative position, and wherein each of said rims is movably secured to its associated hub and when its associated locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, can be moved from said first operative position to said second operative position while maintaining its securement to its associated hub.
 15. The yo-yo of claim 14 wherein each of said side portions also includes at least one movable weight member that is operatively engaged to the associated side portion's rim in a manner whereby when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, said yo-yo can be caused to rotate at a rate whereby said at least one movable weight member will move and thereby cause the associated side portion's rim to move from one of said operative positions to the other of said operative positions.
 16. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure and in a manner whereby a gap is located between said first and second side portions; a tether that extends into said gap and is secured to a portion of said axle structure; and wherein said first side portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion is operatively connected to said axle structure, wherein said second portion includes a surface that defines a side edge of a portion of said gap, wherein said second portion is movably secured to said first portion in a manner whereby said second portion can be located at a first operative position relative to said first portion and also at a second operative position relative to said first portion, wherein when said second portion is located at said first operative position, a width of a part of said gap adjacent said surface of said second portion is less than a width of that same part of said gap when said second portion is located at said second operative position.
 17. The yo-yo of claim 16 wherein said first side portion also includes a user-actuated locking mechanism that when in a locked condition, can lockably secure said second portion relative to said first portion when said second portion is at either of said operative positions, and wherein said locking mechanism can be unlocked whereby said second portion can move relative to said first portion from one of said operative positions to the other of said operative positions.
 18. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein said first side portion includes a plurality of movable weight members wherein when said first side portion is at rest, has its locking mechanism in an unlocked condition, has its second portion in one of said operative positions and is then caused to rotate at a predetermined speed, said weight members can move against ramp members operatively connected to said second portion and thereby cause said second portion to move to the other of said operative positions.
 19. The yo-yo of claim 16 wherein said first side portion includes a plurality of movable weight members wherein when said first side portion is at rest and has its second portion in one of said operative positions and is then caused to rotate at a predetermined speed, said weight members can move against ramp members operatively connected to said second portion and thereby cause said second portion to move to the other of said operative positions.
 20. The yo-yo of claim 16 wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion and has first and second portions analogous to those of the first side portion, wherein the second portion of both side portions can be located in a manner whereby the yo-yo will have a looper configuration, and wherein the second portion of both side portions can also be located in a manner whereby the yo-yo will have a butterfly configuration.
 21. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure; a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure; and wherein said first side portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion is operatively secured to said axle structure, wherein said second portion is slidably connected to said first portion and can be positioned relative to said first portion at a first operative location, wherein said second portion can also be positioned relative to said first portion at a second operative location, and wherein when said tether is positioned so that it extends straight out from said axle structure and said second portion is at said second operative location, said second portion will be spaced further from said tether than when said tether is similarly positioned and said second portion is at said first operative location.
 22. The yo-yo of claim 21 wherein said first side portion also includes a user-actuated locking mechanism that when in a locked condition, can lockably secure said second portion relative to said first portion when said second portion is at either of said operative locations, and wherein said locking mechanism can be unlocked by a user whereby said second portion can move relative to said first portion from one of said operative locations to the other of said operative locations.
 23. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein said first side portion also includes at least one movable weight member that is operatively engaged to the first side portion's second portion in a manner whereby when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition, said yo-yo can be rotated at a rate that causes said at least one movable weight member to move and thereby cause the second portion to move from one of said operative locations to the other of said operative locations.
 24. The yo-yo of claim 21 wherein said first side portion also includes at least one movable weight member that is operatively engaged to the first side portion's second portion in a manner whereby said yo-yo can be rotated at a rate that causes said at least one movable weight member to move and thereby cause the second portion to move from one of said operative locations to the other of said operative locations.
 25. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure; a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure; wherein said first side portion comprises a hub portion and a rim portion, wherein said hub portion is operatively secured to said axle structure, wherein said rim portion is slidably connected to said hub portion and can be positioned relative to said hub portion at a first location, wherein said rim portion can also be positioned relative to said hub portion at a second location, and wherein when said tether is positioned so that it extends straight out from said axle structure and said rim portion is at said second location, said rim portion will be spaced further from said tether than when said tether is similarly positioned and said rim portion is at said first location; and wherein said first side portion also includes an automatic position changing mechanism operatively connected to both the rim portion and the hub portion, wherein said mechanism includes at least one movable member operatively engaged to said rim portion, wherein when said first side portion is at rest and is then caused to rotate at a predetermined rate of rotation, the rotation of the side portion will cause said at least one movable member to move and thereby cause force to be applied to said rim portion that causes said rim portion to move from one of said locations relative to the hub portion to the other of said locations relative to the hub portion.
 26. The yo-yo of claim 25 wherein when said yo-yo is rotating at a speed greater than said predetermined speed and said rim portion is at one of said locations relative to the hub portion and the yo-yo's speed of rotation then slows below said predetermined speed, said at least one movable member can move in a manner whereby said rim portion can move to the other of said locations relative to the hub portion. 